06-08-2008, 12:57 AM
[quote Black Landlord]
Sorry, I don't see any destinations here that are out in "the sticks". Are you referring to Pontiac Michigan? That line serves a relatively densely populated, and relatively poor part of the state-- I wouldn't be surprised if most runs are to capacity. Amtrak has been forced to eliminate under-capacity lines for decades-- not sure how you got the idea there's a bunch of fat to trim. Do you have recent experience riding an empty train?
Did you click on the link "view map pdf"? They have routes in northern Montana and North Dakota - a route that runs through Fargo North Dakota. There are routes through Winslow Arizona, and Elko Nevada. I've been to Elko Nevada; there's a whole lot of nothing there. However, there are so many stars in the night time sky that you can't pick out the constellations...
I have ridden the Amtrak route from Sacramento to the Bay Area when it was practically empty.
Look, I'm a fan of public transportation, but I can see no good reason for Amtrak to try and cover the whole breadth of the nation. I'd like to see them become primarily a commuter railroad in high density areas like the northeastern corridor of the U.S., with their funding coming from those state and local governments.
Sorry, I don't see any destinations here that are out in "the sticks". Are you referring to Pontiac Michigan? That line serves a relatively densely populated, and relatively poor part of the state-- I wouldn't be surprised if most runs are to capacity. Amtrak has been forced to eliminate under-capacity lines for decades-- not sure how you got the idea there's a bunch of fat to trim. Do you have recent experience riding an empty train?
Did you click on the link "view map pdf"? They have routes in northern Montana and North Dakota - a route that runs through Fargo North Dakota. There are routes through Winslow Arizona, and Elko Nevada. I've been to Elko Nevada; there's a whole lot of nothing there. However, there are so many stars in the night time sky that you can't pick out the constellations...
I have ridden the Amtrak route from Sacramento to the Bay Area when it was practically empty.
Look, I'm a fan of public transportation, but I can see no good reason for Amtrak to try and cover the whole breadth of the nation. I'd like to see them become primarily a commuter railroad in high density areas like the northeastern corridor of the U.S., with their funding coming from those state and local governments.
